12 Kinds of Cheeses You Should Know About

The very mention of the word ‘cheese’ brings a smile on people’s faces. Not only do people smile literally when they utter the milky delight’s name, they also smile inwardly at the thought of yummy melting cheese on a warm slice of pizza. The awesomeness of cheese is not restricted to one taste; there are numerous heavenly tasting cheeses in the world. Not understanding the different kinds of cheeses that exist? Have a look at this guide and you will know your cheeses better.

1. Cheddar

The most basic as well as the most consumed cheese in the world is Cheddar that is made from cow’s milk and was originated in England. It is a hard and natural cheese that has a slightly crumbly texture if properly cured and if it is too young, the texture is smooth. It gets a sharper taste as it matures, over a period of time between 9 to 24 months.

2. Parmesan

Popularly used in pastas, soups and risottos, the Parmesan cheese has a hard, gritty texture and is fruity and nutty in taste. It originated in Italy and its real name is Parmigiano Reggiano.

3. Gouda

Pronounced as ‘how-da’, this cheese comes from the land of cheeses, the Netherlands. It has been named after the city of Gouda in the Netherlands and is one of the most popular cheeses in the world, accounting for 50 to 60 percent of the world’s cheese consumption.

4. Camembert

This pale cream colored French cheese tastes best when paired with a light red wine such as Beaujolais, Chenin Blanc, St. Emilion, St. Estephe or traditionally a glass of Normandy cider. Used popularly for wine and cheese high society events, Camembert has a milky and sweet taste.

5. Brie

Also known as ‘The Queen of Cheeses’, Brie is a soft cheese named after the French region Brie, where it was originally created and has a pale yellowish white color.

6. Mozzarella

This Italian origin cheese is popular for being the most common choice of cheese topping on pizzas. Unlike other cheeses, it is not aged but eaten fresh and within few hours after it is made.